Rule 17a-3 requires certain records to
be made by certain exchange members and registered brokers and
dealers. The rule serves to standardize prudent business practices.
Among other things, these records are essential for regulatory
purposes including examinations, investigations, and enforcement
proceedings, which are significant customer protection safeguards.
In connection with a new rulemaking in 2019 (new Rule 17a-14 and
Form CRS, and Regulation Best Interest), the Commission amended
Rule 17a-3 by adding new paragraphs (a)(24) and (a)(35). The
Commission is adding the annual burden hours for new paragraphs
(a)(24) and (a)(35) of Rule 17a-3 into this information
collection.
The annual burden has changed
due to a decrease in the number of respondents (i.e., the number of
registered broker-dealers has decreased from 4,104 to 3,764) and an
increase in the number of customer accounts held by broker-dealers
(from 126,458,378 to 143,333,278). The result of these changes has
been an increase in the hourly burden from 2,763,612 to 2,893,773
hours, or an increase of 130,161 hours per year. The annual costs
increased due to inflation, increases in postage costs, and in
increase in the number of customer accounts. The overall impact of
these changes has been an increase in costs of $9,510,043, going
from $44,562,361 to $54,072,405 per year. [Note: The changes in
burden are calculated exclusive of the "NEW" burdens that were
approved by OMB on October 3, 2019.
$0
No
No
No
No
No
No
Uncollected
Abraham Jacob 202
551-5583
No
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.